We encourage students to seek opportunities to present their research and scholarly work at local, regional, and national conferences and meetings. Many conferences offer travel awards or grants specifically for medical students, so be sure to explore the funding opportunities available through the conference you plan to attend. You should also talk with your PI or faculty mentor about available research funds and whether your department, division, or section can provide additional support for your travel.
Presentation Opportunities at IU
Below are some opportunities available to IU School of Medicine students:
- IMPRS Symposium
- CTSI Annual Meeting
- IU School of Medicine Education Day
- IU School of Medicine Research Day
- Student Research Symposium
Travel Funding at IU
Below are travel funding opportunities available through IU School of Medicine and IU Indianapolis. If you have questions about travel funding or the IMPRS travel grant, please contact imprs@iu.edu.
IU School of Medicine Medical Student Travel Grants
The IMPRS Office has limited funds available each academic year to help medical students defray the cost of attending regional or national scientific meetings to present their research or other scholarly work as a poster or oral presentation.
Applications are reviewed competitively four times during the academic year. Because funding is limited, only a limited number of awards are available during each cycle.
Applying does not guarantee funding. Students should keep this in mind when making travel arrangements.
If awarded, funding is provided as a reimbursement after the conference once all required documentation has been submitted.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for an IMPRS Medical Student Travel Grant:
- You must be enrolled as an IU School of Medicine medical student in good standing.
- You must be the presenting author (first author) of the poster or platform presentation at a national or international meeting.
- Only one person may be the first author and presenting author of a given presentation. Only one application will be accepted per presentation.
- Priority is given to first-time applicants. If funds remain available, previous grant recipients and students who have received major scholarships may also be considered.
- The maximum amount that may be requested is $500.
- Your faculty mentor or the department in which the research or scholarly work was conducted is expected to contribute to your travel expenses.
What the Grant Covers
Grant funds may be used only for:
- Conference registration fees
- Transportation
- Hotel accommodations
Important Restrictions
- Students may submit a travel grant application for only one conference and one presentation per academic year.
- Travel grant awards are provided as reimbursements after the conference.
- If awarded, you must provide proof of attendance and all required documentation before reimbursement can be processed.
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed immediately following each cycle deadline.
- Cycle 1: Sept. 15
- Cycle 2: Dec. 15
- Cycle 3: March 15
- Cycle 4: June 15
Absolute deadlines apply. Applications submitted after the cycle deadline will not be considered for that cycle.
How to Apply
Complete the travel grant application and upload:
- A copy of your abstract
- A copy of the official acceptance or notification to present, if applicable
Applications will be reviewed after the cycle submission deadline.
After the Conference: Reimbursement
If you receive a travel grant, reimbursement will be processed after you return from the conference and submit the required documentation to imprs@iu.edu. Please submit the following:
- Mailing address and SID
- Proof of attendance
- Receipts for conference registration, airfare, and/or hotel accommodations
- Receipts showing your name and/or payment information
- A half-page synopsis of the conference
Receipts must include payment details. Receipts without sufficient payment information may not be accepted for reimbursement. All receipts must be submitted within 60 days of your return from the conference. Reimbursement will be processed through Emburse.
For additional information, please review the IU Travel Policy and Indiana University’s new International Travel Registration policy, FIN-TRV-02, went into effect August 24, 2026.
Questions?
For questions about the IMPRS Medical Student Travel Grant or the application process, please contact imprs@iu.edu.